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Mass of Remembrance: Sat. Nov. 2 at 4:30pm
We invite families to a Mass of Remembrance held in our school Chapel. We will gather together to honor the memory of all deceased alumni, family, and friends. You are welcome to submit names of deceased alumni, family, and friends using this link. All names submitted will be brought forward during the offertory and remembered throughout the month of November.
Admission Open House: Sun. Nov. 3 from 1-3:30pm
Open House is our biggest community event of the year. Thank you in advance to all the parents, caregivers, and students who have volunteered to help on Sunday. Please call the Admission Office if you have any questions, and encourage your friends, relatives, and neighbors to attend.
- Calling All Siblings! If you have a daughter who will be applying to Newton Country Day this year, please call the Admission Office to schedule her tour and interview.
Meet the Directors: Mon. Nov. 4 at 8am
Join us for a parent/caregiver coffee to welcome two new members of our community: Lisa Winick, Chief Advancement Officer, and Warren Perry, Director of Athletics.
Mock Presidential Election: Tue. Nov. 5
Along with voters across the country, MS and US students will participate in a mock presidential election sponsored by the History Department and the JFK Library.
School Picture Retakes: Thu. Nov. 7
Picture retakes are available for students who were absent on Picture Day or who wish to have their school pictures re-taken. If you ordered copies of your original picture, and you are having your picture re-taken, you must bring in your original pictures to return to the photographer. If you would like to order photos and have not already done so, please visit the Coffee Pond website and click the “Order School Portraits” button
No School: Veterans' Day (observed): Mon. Nov. 11
Prayers from the Heart: Fri. Nov. 15 at 7:45am and online
“Aim unceasingly at becoming a soul of prayer.”- St. Madeleine Sophie Barat. A community that prays together, stays together. Let the parent community pray for your special prayer intention by submitting a prayer request via the Veracross Parent Portal, with the option to request confidentiality. Parents who are interested may also volunteer to pray for the intentions of the community by subscribing to the Prayers from the Heart community located on the Parent Portal. There will be an in-person gathering on Fri. Nov. 15 from 7:45-8:15am in the Blue Room for all those who are interested in praying together.
Family Conferences: Mon. Nov. 25 & Tue. Nov. 26
Families will receive more detailed information, including instructions on how to sign up for Fall Family Conferences, on Fri. Nov. 8. This year, we are offering both in-person and virtual conference options:
- In-Person: Mon. Nov. 25 from 1:10-8pm
- Early release at 12:30pm; US Varsity teams will practice. Buses depart at 12:45pm.
- Virtual (via Google Meet): Tue. Nov. 26 from 8am-4pm
- No classes; US Varsity teams will practice.
If you have any questions, please contact Anna Healy or Frances Dingivan.
Tuck Everlasting: Nov. 21 & 22 at 7pm and Nov. 23 at 2pm
Our US production of Tuck Everlasting: The Musical will take place in the Sweeney-Husson Theatre. Please purchase your tickets ($10 per ticket) in advance as we anticipate this show to sell out! All sales are final, and no refunds will be issued. Tickets can be transferred to another party. Please contact Mrs. Davenport with questions.
Parent Book Circle (virtual): Mondays during Advent (Dec. 2, 9, 16) from 12-1pm
Join with other parents and caregivers to mark the season of Advent by participating in a virtual small group discussion over three weeks. We will be reading and discussing Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist. In the midst of a season often characterized by its hustle and bustle, make some time for contemplation and journey with other parents as we strive to be “present over perfect.” Space is limited. In order to foster community, we ask participants to be present for all three weeks. Sign up to participate.
Save the Date! Christmas Party for Parents and Caregivers: Thu. Dec. 5 at 7pm
Parents and Caregivers are invited to join us for a gathering in the Library to celebrate the Advent season. An invitation will be sent.
Christmas Basket Service Project: Donations due by Fri. Dec. 6
In late Nov. and early Dec., student TAG & Advisory groups will be decorating and preparing simple gift boxes to provide families in Dorchester in collaboration with Sr. Joyce McMullen of Project Care & Concern. Every MS and US student is invited to participate. Cardboard banker boxes will be distributed to decorate and fill with nonperishable food and basic household gifts. In addition, students are encouraged to include gift cards to any of the following four stores: Star Market, Stop & Shop, Target, or TJ Maxx. Please make sure to indicate the value of the gift card in writing on the card sleeve or directly upon the card itself. If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Potter at x4757 (US) or Mr. Schusterbauer at x4755 (MS).
Livestreamed Athletic Games
Visit Newton Country Day's YouTube channel to watch the live streams of all levels of soccer, field hockey, and volleyball!
Help Wanted: Host a Senior for an Unpaid, In-Person Internship or Job Shadow
We are seeking hosts for our seniors for an unpaid, in-person internship or job shadowing experience from Apr. 28 to May 23. See more details.
Snow Day Protocol
In the event of a snow day, all classes and activities are canceled. No classes will meet, and no additional work will be assigned. Students may choose to work on long-term assignments and previously assigned work; they may also find it beneficial to organize the school materials they have with them or read a good book.
Should the conditions merit a school closure for more than one day in a row, the subsequent day(s) will be structured as distance learning days. On distance learning days, all scheduled classes will meet at their appointed times. Homeroom and assemblies will not be held to allow screen breaks throughout the day. Students will use the Google Meet link posted in the Google Classroom for each course. If a student experiences a power outage or other weather-related complication, a parent/caregiver should notify the Academic Office.
Absence Policy
If a student is going to be absent or tardy, parents should notify the school before 9am. Parents may submit an attendance note on the Veracross Parent Portal or call the Academic Office directly: MS: (617) 559-4750, US: (617) 559-4747.
Lateness Policy
If a student arrives late to school (after 7:45am for MS, 7:55am for US), she is to report immediately to either the MS Academic Office, or to the Front Desk if in the US, to be recorded present before going to class. Late arrivals may only be excused by a note from a medical professional.
Early Dismissal Policy
Students may not leave before the end of the school day without permission from a parent/caregiver. Any student who has an appointment that necessitates being dismissed early must have this information noted in Veracross either by her parents entering it directly via the Veracross Parent Portal or by calling the Academic Office directly: MS: (617) 559-4750, US: (617) 559-4747. Students must sign out at the Front Desk when they leave. Please make every effort to align early dismissal times with the end of class period time to reduce distraction to classroom learning.
MS Outdoor Recess
Our students enjoy 30 minutes of play-based recess every day. As we move into the winter months, recess moves indoors to the Arches Gym. On the days when the outdoor temperature is above 50 degrees, recess moves outdoors. Also, after a fresh snow, students are invited to sled outdoors during their recess block. Please make sure that your daughter has the appropriate outerwear for outdoor recess in these colder months.
Community Meal hosted by MS Affinity Group: Thu. Nov. 7 at 5pm
MS Families are invited to bring a dish from your family's ethnic culture (or any dish that is important to your family) for a potluck-style meal. RSVP and sign up to bring a dish here.
Upper School Preview for Grade 8
While we hope our eighth graders will relish the present moment as leaders of the MS, we also want to fill them with hope and excitement for what lies ahead:
- We invite Grade 8 students and parents to attend the Open House US Student Panel on Sun. Nov. 3 at 2pm in the Library Reading Room.
- Grade 8 students will join a special step-up assembly during the school day on Mon. Nov. 18 hosted by US student leaders and faculty.
The US team is excited to support our 8th grade class on their journey to a bright future!
MS Athletics: Winter sports tryouts begin the week of Nov. 12
Winter MS sports offered: Basketball, Ice Hockey, and Squash. All practice and game schedules can be found in the athletics section of the website. The tryout schedule can be found here.Students will sign up in school for their winter sport. Please read the MS team policies before the beginning of tryouts.
Voyagers Excursion to Guild Hall: Wed. Nov. 6
The Grade 5 Math and Technology classes will visit Guild Hall for a three-hour program of designing and building robots from scratch, which students will then use to battle against each other with repeated iterations and redesigns.
Voyagers Excursion to the Harvard Natural History Museum: Wed. Nov. 20
With particular emphasis on the glass flowers, forest ecology exhibits, and vertebrate collections, Grade 5 students will explore the museum through the lens of their Science and Grammar classes to reinforce their understanding of food webs, data collection, parts of language, and storytelling.
MS Musical Beauty and the Beast Jr.: Auditions begin Mon. Dec. 2
Auditions for the MS Musical, Beauty and the Beast Jr., will begin on Mon. Dec. 2. We will hold auditions during our normal rehearsal hours, which run weekly from 3:10-4:30pm on Mon., Tue., Thu. and from 2:45-4:30pm on Wed. and Fri. Audition materials will be provided. There are extended rehearsals until 6pm during Tech Week (2/7-2/12) in order to prepare for the shows. All students who audition will receive a role in the production. Performances will take place on Thu. Feb. 13 and Fri. Feb.14. Please contact Dr. Everly with any questions.
Save the Date! MS Advent Vespers Service: Wed. Dec. 18 at 5pm
(followed by dinner for families in the Arches Gym)
All of our MS students participate as dancers, musicians, and lectors in our MS Advent Vespers Prayer Service. Students must provide their own ballet slippers and flesh toned tights. A standard Vespers outfit will be provided for them. All rehearsals leading up to this event will take place during regular school hours. Please contact Dr. Tully with any questions regarding this commitment.
MS After School Program
The MS After School program is available for all MS students until 5:30pm each day. Please text the After School number at (617) 631-0535 when you arrive to pick up your child; she will then be dismissed from the After School program to meet you at the Arches. Students who take the Metrowest or Boston bus are supervised until bus departure. Students are expected to be picked up within 15 minutes of the end of their school day. Please note, students are required to sign in to the After School program if their parents plan to pick them up more than 15 minutes after school or after sports dismissal. Any questions regarding the After School program should be directed to Ms. Kumi.
Upcoming Social Opportunities
Throughout the year, Newton Country Day sponsors several opportunities for students to socialize with students from other local schools. Additionally, we often receive invitations for our students to participate in social events sponsored by other schools. While we expect additional invitations to come in as the year progresses, below is a list of the current offerings and invitations for the 2024-2025 school year:
- Roxbury Latin Trivia Night: Sat. Nov. 2 (Grade 9&10) see below
- Newton Country Day & Belmont Hill Ice Skating Social: Fri. Nov. 15 (Grade 9&10) hosted at Newton Country Day see below
- Newton Country Day Semi-Formal: Fri. Dec. 6 (Grade 11&12) see below
- St. Sebastian's & Newton Country Day Cornhole Night: TBD (tentatively Fri. Feb. 21) (Grade 9&10)
- Belmont Hill Semi-Formal: Sat. Apr. 5 (Grades 9&10)
- Xaverian Brothers Semi-Formal: Fri. Apr. 11 (Grades 9&10)
- Newton Country Day Prom: Sat. Apr. 12 (Grade 11&12)
- Newton Country Day Semi-Formal: Fri. May 30 (Grade 9&10)
Grade 9&10 Trivia Night with Roxbury Latin: Sat. Nov. 2 from 6-8pm
Members of the classes of 2027 and 2028 are cordially invited to join the 9th and 10th graders at Roxbury Latin for a night of trivia and pumpkin-carving. The event will take place at the Roxbury Latin Jarvis Refectory. Given the proximity to Halloween, students are invited to dress up if they wish (but are not required to). Points will be awarded to teams with the best costumes. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP via this form.
Exchange Families Information Session: Thu. Nov. 7 at 6pm in Room 119
Families of Newton Country Day students going on exchange in March 2025 are asked to attend a family information session.
US Athletics: Winter sports tryouts begin the week of Nov. 12
US sports offered: Basketball, Dance Team, Ice Hockey, and Squash. All practice and game schedules can be found in the athletics section of the website. Students have been sent the sign-up sheet in school and will sign themselves up by Nov. 1. The tryout schedule can be found here. Each sport's updated schedule is posted on the athletics section of the website. Parents/caregivers and athletes are expected to sign the US Team Policies form before the beginning of tryouts. Important Note: NEPSAC Tournament Dates are March 5-8. If your team makes it this far, these dates overlap with the first weekend of Spring Break.
US Team Dinners
US Teams will each host a team dinner on campus in December. Dates for these will be out after tryouts in November and will be communicated with the team members and their parents directly. If you have any questions, please reach out to Emily Sargent at esargent@newtonsh.org.
Grade 9&10 Ice Skating Social with Belmont Hill: Fri. Nov. 15 from 7-9pm
Students from Newton Country Day School and Belmont Hill School are invited to an ice skating social at the Daly Hockey Rink (1 Nonantum Rd, Newton, MA 02458). This event will be chaperoned by members of the Newton Country Day faculty. Pizza and refreshments will be served, and activities will be available for those who do not wish to skate. Please use this form to RSVP by Tue. Nov. 12-- we hope to see you there! Contact Ms. Hurley or Mr. Szilvasy with any questions.
Tuck Everlasting Rehearsal Reminders
The following rehearsals are mandatory for all cast and crew members:
- Sat. Nov. 16, 10-5pm: Sitzprobe and Costume Rehearsal
- Mon. Nov. 18, 4-8pm: Technical Rehearsal
- Tue. Nov. 19, 4-8pm: Orchestra Rehearsal
- Wed. Nov. 20, 4pm-8:30pm: Dress Rehearsal
Grade 9 Pie in the Sky Fundraiser: Sat. Nov. 23 from 11am-1pm
Each year, the Grade 9 Pie in the Sky service project gives life to Goals III and IV through service and community building during a season of giving thanks. Grade 9 bakes 50 apple pies to donate to Community Servings with pie proceeds helping provide healthy meals to critically ill and homebound people in Massachusetts. Students are asked to bring a bag of apples, a mixing bowl, an apple or vegetable peeler, and an apple corer (if you have one). Lunch will be served. Grade 9 parents who are interested in volunteering to help with this annual service project should email Grade 9 Dean Caroline Hurley - thank you to those who have already signed up!
Save the Date! Blessing of the US Winter Athletes and Team Introductions: Tue. Dec. 3 at 5:30pm
US student-athletes and their families are invited to a blessing to begin the winter athletic season. The event will take place immediately after practices in the Library Silent Reading Room. Dress is casual.
Save the Date! Grade 11&10 Semi-Formal Dance: Fri. Dec. 6 from 8-10pm
Members of the classes of 2025 and 2026 are invited to a semi-formal dance in Duchesne Hall. Students must arrive no later than 8:30pm. The cost of attending the dance is $10 per person, and tickets can be purchased here. To attend the dance, students should have submitted their signed permission and guest information form and payment by Fri. Nov. 22. In addition to faculty chaperones, parents also help chaperone the dance. We are looking for volunteers! If you are interested in being a parent chaperone or have any questions, please contact Ms. Spelman at x4848.
Save the Date! US Advent Vespers Service: Thu. Dec. 19 at 7pm
All students enrolled in a dance or music course participate in our US Advent Vespers Prayer Service. Students will receive directions regarding performance attire from their individual teachers. There is one mandatory after school rehearsal on Mon. Dec. 16 from 3:45-5:45pm. All other rehearsals leading up to this event take place during regular school hours. Please contact Mrs. Davenport, Chair of Performing and Visual Arts, with any questions.
Help Wanted: Host a Senior for an Unpaid, In-Person Internship or Job Shadow
We are seeking alumni, parents, and former parents to host our senior students for an unpaid, in-person internship or job shadowing experience from Apr. 28 to May 23. This is part of our Senior Project initiative, which aims to provide students with real-world experience, bridging the gap between academic learning and professional development.
Seniors are expected to work approximately 95 total hours over the course of the month, gaining hands-on experience in a professional setting. The Senior Project is designed to:
- Help students apply their academic knowledge in a real-world environment
- Develop essential career skills and gain insights into various industries
- Explore potential career paths and determine fields of interest for college
As part of the experience, seniors will focus on a purpose-based question, allowing them to critically explore how their skills and interests can have a meaningful impact on the world. This unique opportunity not only supports our mission of educating the whole child but also fosters personal growth, social awareness, and intellectual values, inspiring our students to make a difference.
By hosting a senior, you play a key role in their personal and professional development, helping them explore potential career options and guiding them toward future success. We are seeking hosts from a wide variety of professional backgrounds. Whether through a full internship or a job shadowing opportunity, your involvement can make a lasting impact.
If you’re interested in providing this valuable experience for one of our seniors, please contact Laura Baines-Walsh. Thank you for helping shape the next generation of leaders!
College Applications
- Students will submit a draft of their Regular Decision list in mid-November. They will receive feedback to help ensure that their lists are sufficiently safe.
- Early in December, seniors will submit to College Guidance the final list of Regular Decision colleges where they intend to apply.
- Seniors know that it is their responsibility to complete and submit their portion of the application by all appropriate deadlines.
- Seniors are responsible for sending SAT/ACT scores directly from either organization if they are submitting scores.
- The College Guidance Office will send out the transcript, letters of recommendation, school profile, and school report by Dec. 20 for all regular decision schools.
- See Timeline: The College Application Process
Early Action / Early Decision: Many seniors have sent applications for Early Action or Early Decision deadlines. Seniors were given specific instructions about their responsibilities and how to submit their applications.
Financial Aid Information
- Students applying for financial aid should check whether the colleges they are interested in require the CSS Profile. This information can be found on each college’s financial aid website. If the CSS Profile is needed, seniors and their parents should complete it right away.
- The FAFSA is required by every school. Additionally, some institutions may have their own financial aid forms, so families should review each college’s website closely to understand the specific requirements.
- See a list of some important financial aid terms
Testing Dates:
- SAT Administration: Dec. 7
- Registration Deadline: Nov. 22
- ACT Administration: Dec. 14
- Registration Deadline: Nov. 8
Thanksgiving Service Project: Volunteers Needed!
Join parents at the Arches at drop-off to collect boxes on Nov. 6 & Nov. 7 and to deliver them on Fri. Nov. 8.Sign up here
PIN Meeting: Tue. Nov. 19 at 12pm
Adolescent Psychology: Strategies for Understanding Your Teen and Preventing Risky Behavior
Speaker: Joani Geltman, MSW | Licensed clinician, parenting coach, college professor, and author. Register here
2024-25 PA Leadership
- President: Mary Moriarty P '25
- Officer: Rachel Busby P '23 '26 '29
- Officer: Angela Winchenbaugh P '20 '21 '26
- Officer: Emily Venanzi P '26
- Officer: Kelly Woolbert P '21 '23 '31
Thank you for reading this edition of Newton Notes!
Please contact communications@newtonSH.org with any questions or comments.